Police Mystified By Speed Limits On Bridge

June 26, 2004|By LIZABETH HALL; Courant Staff Writer

SUFFIELD — For Suffield police, it's been a case of musical speed limits.

Two weeks ago, the state Department of Transportation posted 45 mph signs on both directions on the Route 190 bridge over the Connecticut River. Suffield police assumed that the state had reduced the speed limit on the bridge from 50 mph in response to separate requests by Chief Michael Manzi and state Sen. John Kissel's office for safety improvements to decrease the number of accidents there.

Since then, the signs have been moved. Initially it appeared that the entire bridge was 45 mph. Then half of the bridge was 45 mph while the other half was 50 mph. Now, says Suffield Capt. David Bourque, the eastbound lane leading from Suffield into Enfield is 45 mph while the westbound lane is 50 mph on the Enfield side and 45 mph on the Suffield side.

Confused?

Suffield police are, and they're trying to sort it out with the Department of Transportation.

``It went from 50 to 45 and now back up to 50,'' Bourque said. ``In the process the westbound lane conflicts with the eastbound.''

The sprouting signs have apparently had little effect on traffic, as Suffield police illustrated Wednesday morning when officers handed out 12 speeding tickets in less than two hours.

One officer clocked a car going east into Enfield at 83 mph, Bourque said. ``There's definitely a speeding issue.''

The four-lane bridge has been the scene of a number of serious accidents in recent years, including a fatal accident in October caused by a driver attempting a U-turn. The Department of Transportation recognizes it as a limited-access highway because it contains exits and entrance ramps.

A three-car crash in April, in which the occupants escaped serious injury despite heavy damage to their automobiles, prompted Manzi to ask the Department of Transportation to consider installing Jersey barriers between the eastbound and westbound lanes of the heavily-traveled connector. Department officials told Manzi that barriers are impractical.

Altering the speed limit would be impossible without a vote by the traffic commission, said Robbin Cabelus, executive director for the state traffic commission.

In the meantime, Suffield police said they are awaiting further clarification from Department of Transportation.